Vicki Doudera – Realtor, Author, Mainer

The housing market is starting to show signs of moving… and I’m thrilled.

Not just because it means I can help some of my clients get their homes sold, but because so many industries depend on a healthy housing market.

Not just contractors, big box store operators, and huge real estate firms, but lots of “little people,” too. Here in Maine we not only know these people, but they are our friends and neighbors.

People like my next door neighbor, Frank, the third generation owner of a small hardware and building supply store in Camden. Frank leaves his house at 4 a.m. each morning except Sunday to open the store. That’s right — I said FOUR a.m.! It is a testament to how well I sleep (or how tired I am!) that I have only heard the rumble of Frank’s truck as he pulls out of his driveway four or five times in fourteen years of being his neighbor.

Of course the recession has hit Frank’s store hard. He’s struggling to keep his loyal employees and doing what he can to generate business. Customers at his store know they get something they cannot find in other places, and that’s personal attention from people who actually know building.

So it’s people like Frank and his store, along with all the small carpenters, solo practicing architects, furniture upholsterers, and yes, real estate agents who will breathe a big sigh of relief when housing starts and existing home sales pick up.

Right now I’m feeling thankful that it looks like the tide has turned.